EPA fines ministry for waste dumped during bridge construction
The ministry failed to respond to repeated claims construction materials were being dumped into the sea.
04 Jul 2019, 9:00 AM
The Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure has been fined nearly US$60,000 for allowing cement and metal to be dumped into the ocean during the construction of the Malé-Hulhumale bridge.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said on Wednesday it had received multiple complaints about the dumping of construction waste into the sea between 2016 and 2018, while the bridge was being built.
The EPA said it inspected the area with the help of the Maldives National Defence Force and discovered metal waste on the ocean floor.
The EPA said the ministry in charge of the project had failed to report environmental violations by the contractor and had also failed to respond to official inquiries.
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